Dead Prom Queen Costume

If you want to be the dead belle at the ball you're going to have to look the part and identify with the living dead to be believable. Because we all know that dead people just don't get up and walk around unless they're... well... zombies. It's not a flattering part by any stretch of the imagination but it's a popular idea for teenage girls that gets plenty of attention.

What's great about this costume is that it's easy to put together a homemade one. All you need is formalwear, a few accessories, a bit of gore, and the guts to play the part. Some of us gals can be a bit proud and really don't relish the thought of looking not so hot, but October 31st is the perfect time to throw vanity aside and float around with other "undesirables" on Halloween night.

Obituary

Before you get started, you will need to decide how you met your demise and build your costume around it. If you want blood, you should make yourself the victim of a violent crime. Everyone loves a great tragedy on Halloween and yours should be no exception. Perhaps it was a lover's spat or simply being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

The weapon of choice will determine the wounds. Your costume will be much more interesting if you have a story. Obviously you can forgo the gore and be a pale, picture-perfect dead prom queen, but that may not win you the prize in a costume contest.

Prom Dress

You're  going to need a formal prom dress. It doesn't have to be immaculate because you're going to get it dirty. If you want to be convincing, pick one that fits well because what girl would go to her prom wearing an ill-fitting gown? It just doesn't work well. Shoes should be formal and comfortable, just like the dress.

Accessories

Sash - You can make your own get one online.

Tiara - Usually you can find a tiara in the seasonal section at any local store that sells Halloween costumes. If not there, look in the toy department.

Flowers - You'll need to be creative. A bouquet of dead flowers or black silk flowers are quite complimentary to dead prom queens and add a nice gothic touch. Don't want to carry them around? Wear a corsage or wrist corsage.

Dig up some costume jewelry to add glamour. A real prom queen wouldn't be caught dead (no pun intended) without some bling. Got stuff to carry? By all means, carry a small handbag, but make it fancy. Formal gloves add a nice touch too and can come in handy on a cold autumn night.

Hair

Hair should be styled like any prom queen would style her hair but it should be messy to portray a fierce struggle or trip from the grave. Better yet, add a few small sticks and leaves to your tangled tresses for the true dead prom queen look.

Makeup

Pat your face pale with Halloween makeup. A kit will help you create a dramatic, lifeless look. To mimic sunken eyes, choose brown underneath and around the area and blend well. Lips can very pale or covered with black lipstick.

Wounds should be made up on exposed area(s) with plenty of fake blood to go with them. Use common sense here. You should have it dripping from the wounds and onto your dress but you have to place it strategically. You don't want it rubbing off on furniture, car seats, or other people (Cinderella would not appreciate that!)

Paint your fingernails black and your toenails too if they'll be showing. It's okay if the nail polish chips, contrary to a living prom queen, perfection is not your goal.

Finally, find a date to the dance. There's no one more appropriate than a dead prom king. After all, misery loves company.

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Corpse or Zombie Costume for Halloween

Zombie Costume

You wanna be the low-life of the party for Halloween? Being a zombie means that you don't need to favorably impress anyone, but you'll definitely leave an impression. The kind of attention you'll receive will be more along the lines of grossing people out rather than the "ooohs" and "aaahs" given to the beauty queen. But, that's the point, isn't it? After all, a glamorous lifestyle is highly overrated.

Clothing and Shoes

You won't have to dig too deep to find clothing but it might take some effort to get it up to zombie standards. Worn, tattered and downright ugly clothing meets the criteria, so whatever you choose, you'll need to make it look like you've just dug yourself out of a grave. If you don't want to be an ordinary corpse, you can choose a theme such as zombie doctor or cheerleader and dress accordingly. Or, go as a couple and be the bride and groom with obvious regrets. More group ideas include families or an adult and child combo.

The good news is that a homemade zombie costume is cheap if you have clothing and shoes that you're willing to ruin. If not, then ask a buddy or family member if they'll donate to your good cause. If that doesn't work, visit a second-hand clothing store and you'll probably find something not worth keeping.

Before you buy anything, you should consider the circumstances of your death. When given a proper burial, most people will be clothed formally. If you don't wish to wear a suit or dress, you can wear something casual such as jeans and a t-shirt or even pajamas, a bathrobe, and slippers. The movies show plenty of "zombies" who must have met their untimely demise and rose from the dead before burial.

To make your clothing look authentic, it will need to be torn. You'll be wearing it, so place the rips strategically -- in places you'll be comfortable with. You can begin with the scissors and rip the rest manually. Don't get carried away because it may rip further once you put it on. You should soil your clothes and shoes with dirt, grass, and blood stains. Keep in mind that whatever you use may end up on furniture or carpet so think this through carefully.

Wounds and Blood

A zombie costume wouldn't be complete without rotting flesh and bloody wounds. These should be placed on visible areas of the body such as the face, neck, arms and hands. This will probably be the most time-consuming task but can be easier with these fake blood and fake wounds recipes. Also, cheap makeup kits can be found in the seasonal department in most stores around Halloween and can be utilized for soil and wounds with some blending. Start with a pale base to make your wounds really stand out, powder to set, and add some blood and gore. Of course, you could be a "fresh" corpse with few wounds and just go for the pale look.

Ideas for Props

Additional items and props can also used to give your costume real zombie appeal. Hillbilly teeth are unattractive and can double as rotten teeth. If you don't wish to make your hair ratty and dirty, consider a wig that you can use and dispose of. Gauze can be used to "patch" oozing flesh wounds, just make sure they bleed through for the right effect. Contact lenses are pricey but if you're wanting to win a costume contest, they may help you break a tie.

You can really make people's stomach churn if you add bugs. Place them in a flesh wound, in your hair, or glue them to your clothing. Some zombies are not only scary, they're quite aggressive. A natural weapon such as a club or thick tree branch puts you on the offensive... Finally, if you're going to be a zombie, you'll need to walk the talk and exhibit pure zombie behavior. Learn how to stagger like your limbs are giving out and moan like your tongue is rotting. This will surely convince others that you are amongst the living dead.

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